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New Honda NC700S and NC700X Revealed – Efficient, Practical and Fun

NC700S

We showed you the scooter-like Integra, and now Honda has revealed two motorcycles featuring the same, new 670 cc, 8-valve, parallel twin engine.

The NC700S Naked will be available in Europe with both a six-speed manual gearbox and an optional dual clutch transmission. The engine is rated at 48 hp, and is designed to provide excellent fuel mileage and strong low-end torque.

Both the Naked and the NC700X (pictured below) share this engine and a steel trellis frame. Both have a conventional fork and Pro-Link rear shock, 17″ wheels and 320mm single front disc brake.

Both bikes locate the fuel tank under the seat and feature a huge storage bin (large enough to hold a helmet) in the location of the traditional gas tank.

This is all well and good and welcome, gut there is nothing revolutionary here. It has been long acknowledged that a soft tuned, low revving, long strong engine of around 650cc is the best combination for fuel economy. The big question mark is, why hasn’t it happened sooner? For the record, my ’03 W650 has everything engine-wise mentioned here and consistently returns around 73 mpg (without the benefit of fuel injection) – and it doesn’t look like a domestic appliance. When I first started riding 30 years ago, motorcyclist used to brag about fuel economy to car drivers, now we avoid the subject as it has become nothing short of embarrassing. 45mpg for dragging one person from A to B be is no longer acceptable if we are to argue the motorcycle has a viable future as green and space-efficient transport.